Strengths: Loves bumps eats jumps and swallows speed i have never had a bike (and i've had many) so good in every department, the built quality is excellent, geometry is absolutely perfect for 6ft1 and simply looks fantastic
Weaknesses: Seatpost adjustment is not bery generous, apart from that nothing
Bottom Line:
Truly a master peice of a bike, I had a STS DH back in 1998..what a bike sold it to buy a car and every bike (listed above) since could not compare. In 2002 I decided to go back to what I knew best, Fantastic on the road, canal but really comes to life when jumping, racing downhill or trail, often compete x country and have no problems competing. the only bike close the Shape/style fo bike/rider is the Rocky Mountain. the GT feels tough give you the confidence to do things you wouldn't think possible. I have never had problems with sag, gear slipping brakes...anything
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain edge, Trek Y Carbon, Giant XTC, STS DH
Bike Setup: Z1 150 drop offs, XTR all round, Hope 3/5 Hydro Discs, mavic X-max wheelset, Super Deluxe rear,Roox stem much more
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Submitted by
Bremen Seepe
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2003
Strengths: Plush suspension; doesn't bottom out! Take 5-fters with ease. Lockouts are great for urban riding and uphill.
Weaknesses: Creaking! Damn, all the creaking.
Bottom Line:
It's hard to find a durable, full-suspension bike that can take the bumpy trails, and not suffer powerloss on the uphills (and help keep your bank account retain all those zero's on the end!). Freestyle appeals to everyone.
Even only after less than a month of riding it, I can say beyond reasonable doubt this bike is the best investment I own.
Strengths: Solid frame, quality of travel, versatility.
Weaknesses: A bit tall, rear end creaks occasionally
Bottom Line:
After much tinkering and part-swapping, I finally have this bike set up to my liking: a freeride-capable rig that can be easily modified for a weekend XC race. Although it maxes out at 4.5" travel in the rear in "long-travel mode", the design is so active and the quality of travel is so good, it feels like more, and is very well matched with the 5" Psylo up front (I probably get another 1/2" of "travel" out of the fat Motoraptors too). A quick swap of fork and wheelset and a "flip of the chip" on the rear shock mount to XC mode and you have an able, though slightly heavy, XC rig for the occasional race.
In freeride form, it's kind of a pig at 32 pounds (I'm only a buck fifty), but it's so stable and plush heading down that I don't mind paying the weight penalty on the climbs. And, although the rear pivots do wail once in a while, I've never thought it was that big a deal.
In my experience, the STS1000 is a great frame to build into a good all-arounder. It's not quite light enough for pure XC racing, and doesn't quite have the travel or geometry for extreme freeriding or downhill, but it's rugged and versatile, and that makes sense if you like to do different kinds of riding but can't afford an entire stable of purpose-built bikes.
As an aside, these bikes run large, so go down a size if you'd normally be in-between two sizes.
Strengths: The bike looks great is stiff and goes up and down the hills VERY fast!!
Weaknesses: A bit on the heavy side. Formula discs sucked. (had to change them) Chainsuck.
Bottom Line:
This bike is great but not perfect, at least with my setup. The formula brakes were a pain in the ass. Can´t really bother explaining everything... So I changed them for magura louise brakes which seem to work good enough.
I´m not totally happy with my judy. I used to have a psylo xc on my last bike and I loved it. It was alot stiffer and plusher than the Judy race. I guess I´m gonna buy a Duke SL100 to replace the judy soon.
Don´t understand why people are saying that their sts 1000 are noisy. Mine is very silent. I have to say that it climbs better than my old hardtail schwinn and goes downhill like a beast. The frame is lovely and I really ain´t afraid of breaking it. I´ve gone over the bars a few times and I haven´t got even a scratch on the frame.
This is really going to be my dreambike once I change a few components!
Similar Products Used: None, this is my first fs bike
Bike Setup: rs super deluxe shock, judy race, xt and lx components, magura louise brakes...
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Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001
Strengths: This bike is excellent for DH rides smooth over rough terrian, and handles great off 3-5FT drops.
Weaknesses: Shocks need to be a little more stiff.
Bottom Line:
This bike is excellent for aggressive riding, I am 6'3" and weight 220lbs I ride this bike like a freaking maniac. So far, I have been over the handlebars twice, fell down an 8' cliff, hit a tree and have kissed the terrian many times and has not even had a flat yet. Thus so far no problems!!! For its durability, performance, and price that I payed I am giving this 5 Chilis.
Similar Products Used: Mongoose DS5000, Raliegh M60, Cannondale
Bike Setup: Judy rock shoks, Shimano LX deore shifters, cassettes, and derailleur. Monkey grip light handlebars, tooth fairy guard, rock shock super deluxe 750 rear shock, and mavic wheels,
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Submitted by
Mark Ilic
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000
Strengths: Very quick down hill. Can ride over almost anything faster than my mates.
Weaknesses: Few.....squeeky lower pivot (I think). Chain suck can be nasty and gouges the aluminium frame every time.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike whilst in Los Angeles for work and it has lived up to all my expectations. Not only am I the fastest down hill, but also have more energy and stamina for the up hills due to the comfy ride. I am very impressed and so are all my mates. Even though this design is over two years old now it still holds its own in performance and looks. WELL DONE GT!
Having ridden this bike on pretty much every terrain out there I have found the bike to be an amazing all rounder with a lean towards the freerider style (anything goes!!!). Because I am extremely happy with this bike I am not going to replace it for the forseable future and will just upgrade component as and when required.
Bike Setup: XTR/XT Groupset, Rock Shox Judy 100,X-Lite stem/saddle/finishing kit, Mavic 521 cd Ceramic Rims with Hope titainium hubs, Club roost bars and Wtb Enduroraptor tyres.
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Submitted by
Chris Caldwell
a Weekend Warrior
from Bowling Green, KY
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000
Strengths: Overall travel, active suspension, adjustability
Weaknesses: A little heavy, I have had issues with chainsuck, Rock Shox rear shock blew its wad.
Bottom Line:
Love the bike! The only issue I have had with the bike is the chainsuck I have been experiencing lately. I have replaced the chainrings, cassette and chain so let's see if that solves the problem.
The adjustability of the B/B height is a plus. I am 6' and weigh 210 lbs., and this bike is a good match for me. I run the 5" rear travel with a 4" travel Z1 and it sucks up everything. The OEM RS Super Deluxe shock was good initially (rebound and compression adjustment), but it blew its wad. I was sent a replacement but just bought a Stratos Helix Expert which changed the ride considerably (for the better).
Since it is a trunion mount shock, there are limited options for a new rear shock. The Stratos is a coil over with air spring, but I wish I could mount a true air shock. In addition, the pivot points are bushings. My choice would have been sealed bearings.
If you are looking for a great all around ride with plenty of travel and adjustability, this is for you. If you are looking for a lightweight racer, look somewhere else.
Submitted by
Jay Wayman
a Cross-Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, Mi
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1999
Strengths: Stiffness, Overdesigned for strength.
Weaknesses: Squeeky pivots. When this bike drops a chain it galls the bottom bracket lug.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike, I ride crosscountry trails here in Michigan and this bike performs way better than needed. The suspension keeps my back from hurting the day after the ride and it does not bob up and down when seated. I would buy the bike again if it came to that.
I have been a die hard hard tail racer, but our local trails have really gotten rooty and can be a real pain in the back, My wife talked me into buying this 98 GT-STS-1500-DS which was on sale for $1400 complete. Man am I glad she did. This bike is great, after a couple of adjustments I was flying down trails that use to rattle my teeth. I get NO bobbing while seated and can spin through areas I would have to stand and coast on my Specialized M2. And as for climbing, So what if it weighs a bit more, I can stay seated and spin up the rootest climb and the bike just hooks up. My HT would bounce and slip when trying to climb rooty trails, causing loss of momentium. Not this bike. I have ridden a few FS bikes and never really liked them, But GT's design is the best, I wish I hadn't waited so long to get one.
Bike Setup: I have XTR, A Manitou X-vert R fork, A superdelux rear shock, and a Hayes front Disc
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marc
a Weekend Warrior
from Gambier, OH
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1999
Strengths: surprisingly light, considering the components, climbs way better than I thought it would
Weaknesses: squeaky bushings, way soft fork springs, and some other things I'll get into below.
Bottom Line:
I actually have the STS 1500DS, which has cheaper components and no disk brakes. This bike was absolutely awesome out of the box. Ridiculous amounts of fun. It climbed way better than i expected (even with the front end jacked up, I was faster than on my old S-works just because I wasn't weaving everywhere). Super plush, components were cheap but they all worked well. I had initial problems with the fork being too soft. Heading down hill it bottomed out on pretty much anything, but a firm spring set remedied that and was still plenty plush to be balanced with the rear (which is wierd because I only weigh about 150).I've had some durability problems though. Besides those skinny rims causing a million flats and rolled tires every once in a while, the screw fell out of one side of the shock linkage along with the little plastic insert that the shock attaches to. I have to check with GT to see if that's under warranty. Besides that the whole bike creaks SOOOO loudly, between the BB and the Bushings. I've tried cleaning and reinstalling the cranks but they're only LX so I shouldn't be suprised they still creak. The monstrous seat post bulged the first time I tightened it into place so now I can't lower it for downhill and technical stuff, and last, when the chain comes off it get's wedges between the small ring and the pivot and tears up the soft aluminum BB lug. I don't know if it effects the bike functionally but it hurts my soul each time it happens.I still give it 4 stars because it is SO sweet when it's working correctly.
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR pro GT Team LTS Klein Mantra
Bike Setup: Coupe DeLux (650 spring) Judy XL, medium springs
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Loehr Young
a Weekend Warrior
from Athens, GA. USA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 1999
Strengths: Plush travel, great components, Sweet ride, Lots of adjustability, if it bobs you won't notice it, climbs well etc....
Weaknesses: Squeaky rear bushings!!!
Bottom Line:
I did alot of looking before I decided on this last years closeout. I did change a few of the components-Mavic X-Max wheels, put a v-brake on the front, Easton carbon monkey light bars, and a king head set round out the changes. All I can say is that I am blown away how good this bike is !! It really does do everything well! It smokes the downhills, climbs well, I don't have any trouble with tight single track either.It's not overly heavy (26lbs). I keep it in the long travel mode (5) and it is awesome !! I ride pretty hard and the frame is holding up great. I really do love this bike, the ONLY thing I don't like is the noisy, squeaky pivots. Other than that I can't find anything wrong with it !! The only reason I give it a 4 is the noise.
Similar Products Used: None, its my first dualie...
Bike Setup: Rock Shox Super Deluxe rear, Rock Shox Judy XL front.
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Submitted by
PAUL STAMISON
a weekend warrior
from CHANTILLY VA. USA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 1999
Bottom Line:
I'VE LISTENED TO ALL THIS BAD STUFF ABOUT THE WONDERFUL THE GT STS 1000DS. WELL A FRIEND OF MINE SOLD ME A GT STS 97 I'VE BUT RIDDEN IT FOR NO MORE THEN 2MONTHS WHEN WE WENT TO WHITTAIL AND WERE INTO THE RIDE FOR 10MIN.WHEN LORD AND BEHOLD IT BROKE . IT SENT ME OVER THE BARS AND SKIDING NOSE FIRST ALL OVER THE PLACE.WELL I SURVIED BUT THE BIKE LOOK LIKE A DEAD RABBIT SO WE HUNG IT UP LIKE ONE. WELL MY BUDDY SAID TO ME DON'T WORRY IT'UNDER WARRANTY,SO WE SENT IT BACK TO GT AND I HAD MARK IN WARRANTY TAKE GOOD CARE OF ME . NOT ONLY DID I RECIEVE A 98 GT STS 1000 DS BUT A THOMSON SEAT POST AND BEARING KIT ALSO.I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THE SERVICE BUT THE PROMTNESS OF DELIVERY. HEY MARK DO YOU REMEMBER ME ??? FROM MANNASSAS AND YOU USED BIKE USA IN POTOMACMILLS.
I purchased this frame four months ago and it still performs very smoothy despite no maintainance, a race, and 2 bad crashes. I have set it up for downhill and it performs suprisingly well in a variety of conditions. The short top tube allows you to get back for those steep descents. The rear end is very stiff and the same can be said for the front triangle. I initially had some head tube creaking, but that was fixed with a few drops of lube between the frame and headset junction. The suspension is plush compared to several other 5 travel frames. This frame makes a great entry level downhiller or a freerider.
